System, method, and computer program product for providing an association between a first participant and a second participant in a social network

ABSTRACT

A system, method, and computer program product are provided for associating a first participant and a second participant in a social network. In one embodiment, payment is received from a first participant. Additionally, an association between the first participant and a second participant in a social network is provided, in exchange for the payment.

RELATED APPLICATION(S)

The present application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.13/530,007, filed Jun. 21, 2012, which is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 13/303,070, filed Nov. 22, 2011, which is acontinuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/372,584, filed Feb. 17,2009, now U.S. Pat No. 8,090,666, which claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Application No. 61/029,267, filed on Feb. 15, 2008, all ofwhich are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety and for allpurposes.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to social networks, and more particularlyto participants of social networks.

BACKGROUND

Traditionally, social networks are provided to participants (e.g. users,entities, etc.) for allowing the participants to interact (e.g.socialize, etc.) via a network. Oftentimes, the interaction includessending and receiving electronic messages, exchanging content, etc.Unfortunately, the functionality of traditional social networks that isavailable to participants has generally been limited.

There is thus a need for addressing these and/or other issues associatedwith the prior art.

SUMMARY

A system, method, and computer program product are provided forassociating a first participant and a second participant in a socialnetwork. In one embodiment, payment is received from a firstparticipant. Additionally, an association between the first participantand a second participant in a social network is provided, in exchangefor the payment.

In another embodiment, a follower is added. Further, it is determinedwhether a threshold has been reached, based on the addition of thefollower. Still yet, additional network use options are presented to acontent provider, based on the determination.

In yet another embodiment, a participant is joined to a lowest circle offollowers associated with a content provider, based on an initiative ofthe participant. In addition, the participant is allowed to indicate adesire to join a higher circle of followers associated with the contentprovider. Moreover, it is determined whether an invite has been sentfrom the content provider to the participant, and it is determinedwhether the invite has been accepted by the participant, if the invitehas been sent from the content provider to the participant. Furthermore,the participant is elevated to the higher circle of followers associatedwith the content provider, if the invite has been accepted by theparticipant.

In still yet another embodiment, a social hierarchy is graphicallyrepresented utilizing a plurality of concentric circles. Further, eachconcentric circle includes followers or friends of different level ofcloseness to a participant.

In another embodiment, a request to display content is received by thenetwork from a participant. Additionally, a language preference of theparticipant is identified. Furthermore, it is determined whether thecontent is available in a first language preference of the participant.If it is determined that the content is available in the first language,the content is displayed to the participant in the first language.However, if it is determined that the content is not available in thefirst language, it is determined whether the content is available in asecond language associated with the participant. If it is determinedthat the content is available in the second language, the content isdisplayed to the participant in the second language. If it is determinedthat the content is not available in the second language, the content isdisplayed to the participant in a default language.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a network architecture, in accordance with oneembodiment.

FIG. 2 shows a representative hardware environment that may beassociated with the servers and/or clients of FIG. 1, in accordance withone embodiment.

FIG. 3 shows a method for providing an association between a firstparticipant and a second participant in a social network, in accordancewith one embodiment.

FIG. 4A shows a system for providing an association between a firstparticipant and a second participant in a social network, in accordancewith another embodiment.

FIG. 4B shows a graphical user interface for translating content into alanguage different from a default language used by a content provider,in accordance with another embodiment.

FIG. 4C shows a graphical user interface for entering a translation fora text, in accordance with another embodiment.

FIG. 5 shows a method for inviting a content provider to define a circleof followers, in accordance with yet another embodiment.

FIG. 6 shows a method for elevating a follower from a lowest circle offollowers to a highest circle of followers, in accordance with still yetanother embodiment.

FIG. 7 shows a graphical user interface (GUI) for presenting a web pageheader, in accordance with another embodiment.

FIG. 8 shows a GUI for presenting a participant-related header to a webpage of a social network, in accordance with yet another embodiment.

FIG. 9 shows a GUI presenting a main web page associated with aparticipant, in accordance with still yet another embodiment.

FIG. 10 shows a GUI for allowing a participant to navigate to a web pagefor adding content to a social network, in accordance with anotherembodiment.

FIG. 11 shows a GUI for allowing a participant to add content to asocial network, in accordance with another embodiment.

FIG. 12 shows a GUI for presenting circles of followers, in accordancewith yet another embodiment.

FIG. 13 shows a GUI for allowing a participant to create a new projectfor providing content via a social network, in accordance with anotherembodiment.

FIG. 14 shows a GUI for presenting a dashboard showing different aspectsof a social network, in accordance with another embodiment.

FIG. 15 shows a GUI for modifying settings for paid circles of aparticipant, in accordance with another embodiment.

FIG. 16 shows a GUI for modifying settings for accessibility of circlesof a participant, in accordance with another embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a network architecture 100, in accordance with oneembodiment. As shown, a plurality of networks 102 is provided. In thecontext of the present network architecture 100, the networks 102 mayeach take any form including, but not limited to a local area network(LAN), a wireless network, a wide area network (WAN) such as theInternet, peer-to-peer network, etc.

Coupled to the networks 102 are servers 104 which are capable ofcommunicating over the networks 102. Also coupled to the networks 102and the servers 104 is a plurality of clients 106. Such servers 104and/or clients 106 may each include a desktop computer, lap-topcomputer, hand-held computer, mobile phone, personal digital assistant(PDA), peripheral (e.g. printer, etc.), any component of a computer,and/or any other type of logic. In order to facilitate communicationamong the networks 102, at least one gateway 108 is optionally coupledtherebetween.

FIG. 2 shows a representative hardware environment that may beassociated with the servers 104 and/or clients 106 of FIG. 1, inaccordance with one embodiment. Such figure illustrates a typicalhardware configuration of a workstation in accordance with oneembodiment having a central processing unit 210, such as amicroprocessor, and a number of other units interconnected via a systembus 212.

The workstation shown in FIG. 2 includes a Random Access Memory (RAM)214, Read Only Memory (ROM) 216, an I/O adapter 218 for connectingperipheral devices such as disk storage units 220 to the bus 212, a userinterface adapter 222 for connecting a keyboard 224, a mouse 226, aspeaker 228, a microphone 232, and/or other user interface devices suchas a touch screen (not shown) to the bus 212, communication adapter 234for connecting the workstation to a communication network 235 (e.g., adata processing network) and a display adapter 236 for connecting thebus 212 to a display device 238.

The workstation may have resident thereon any desired operating system.It will be appreciated that an embodiment may also be implemented onplatforms and operating systems other than those mentioned. Oneembodiment may he written using JAVA, C, and/or C++ language, or otherprogramming languages, along with an object oriented programmingmethodology. Object oriented programming (OOP) has become increasinglyused to develop complex applications.

Of course, the various embodiments set forth herein may be implementedutilizing hardware, software, or any desired combination thereof. Forthat matter, any type of logic may be utilized which is capable ofimplementing the various functionality set forth herein.

FIG. 3 shows a method 300 for providing an association between a firstparticipant and a second participant in a social network, in accordancewith one embodiment. As an option, the method 300 may be carried out inthe context of the architecture and environment of FIGS. 1 and/or 2. Ofcourse, however, the method 300 may be carried out in any desiredenvironment.

As shown in operation 302, a payment is received from a firstparticipant. In the context of the present description, the firstparticipant may include any person or entity (e.g. group of persons)from which payment may be received. For example, the first participantmay include a user (e.g. member, etc.) of a service via which thepayment is received.

In one embodiment, the first participant may include a user of a socialnetwork. For example, the first participant may subscribe to the socialnetwork. In the context of the present description, such social networkmay include any network capable of being utilized by people for socialnetworking purposes. Optionally, the social network may be accessibly bythe first participant via a website representative of the socialnetwork.

In another embodiment, the first participant may include a user of adevice. Optionally, the device may include any of the devices describedabove with respect to FIGS. 1 and/or 2. To this end, the firstparticipant may utilize the device for sending the payment.

Additionally, the payment may include any desired type of compensation.In one embodiment, the payment may include a transfer of money (e.g. viaa credit account, a debit account, etc.). In another embodiment, thepayment may include a subscription payment. For example, thesubscription payment may include one payment in a series of paymentsassociated with a subscription. In yet another embodiment, the paymentmay be received by a provider of the service (e.g. the social network,etc.). As an option, the payment may be sent by the first participantand/or received (e.g. by the service provider, etc.) via the websiterepresentative of the social network.

Furthermore, as shown in operation 304, an association between the firstparticipant and a second participant is provided in the social network,in exchange for the payment. In this way, the payment may optionally bereceived from the first participant for establishing the associationbetween the first participant and the second participant. Of course, inthe context of a subscription payment, the payment may be received fromthe first participant for maintaining a subscription providing anassociation between the first participant and the second participant, asan option. In the context of the present description, the secondparticipant may include any participant that is different from the firstparticipant for which an association with the first participant may beprovided.

In one embodiment, the second participant may include a user (e.g.subscriber, etc.) of the service (e.g. the social network, etc.). Forexample, the second participant may include a content providerassociated with the social network. Thus, the second participant mayprovide content (e.g. images, video, text, music, source code, computerprograms, etc.) via the social network. It should be noted that, as anoption, the second participant may include a plurality of personsidentified as a single entity (e.g. a single account of the service,etc.) or a project, capable of being managed by several users of theservice.

In another embodiment, the second participant may include a user of adevice. For example, the second participant may utilize the device toaccess the social network. As another example, the second participantmay utilize the device to upload the content to the social network (e.g.via the website representative of the service). Moreover, the secondparticipant may receive the payment from the first person (e.g. via theservice provider, etc.).

Still yet, the association between the first participant and the secondparticipant may include any desired type of relationship provided in thesocial network, in the context of the present description. For example,the social network may establish the association between the firstparticipant and the second participant. Such association may further beindicated via the social network (e.g. via the website representative ofthe social network, etc.).

In one embodiment, the association between the first participant and thesecond participant may include adding the first participant to a circle(e.g. group, etc.) of followers associated with the second participant.Such followers may include participant of the social network with anassociation to the second participant. Optionally, the secondparticipant may be associated with a plurality of different circles offollowers.

Each of such different circles of followers may include different accessrights associated with content provided by the second participant, forexample. As another example, each of such different circles of followersmay provide different opportunities (e.g. promotions, interaction withthe second person, tools, etc.) to the followers included in anassociated circle. To this end, the first participant may be added toone of the circles of followers in exchange for the payment (e.g.subscription payment, etc.).

As an option, each of the different circles of followers may beassociated with a different level. Accordingly, a circle of followersassociated with a higher level may be provided with more access rights,opportunities, etc. than a circle of followers associated with a lowerlevel. Further, only a subset (e.g. one, etc.) of the circles offollowers associated with the second participant may require the paymentfrom the first participant in exchange for associating the firstparticipant with such circle. In this way, the first participant mayoptionally he added to the circle of followers requiring the payment, inexchange for the payment from the first participant.

In yet another embodiment, the association between the first participantand the second participant may include adding the first participant to alist of followers associated with the second participant. Such secondparticipant may utilize the list of followers for contacting thefollowers in the list, for example.

More illustrative information will now be set forth regarding variousoptional architectures and features with which the foregoing techniquemay or may not be implemented, per the desires of the user. It should bestrongly noted that the following information is set forth forillustrative purposes and should not be construed as limiting in anymanner. Any of the following features may be optionally incorporatedwith or without the exclusion of other features described.

FIG. 4A shows a system 400 for providing an association between a firstparticipant and a second participant in a social network, in accordancewith another embodiment. As an option, the system 400 may be implementedin the context of the architecture and environment of FIGS. 1-3. Ofcourse, however, the system 400 may be implemented in any desiredenvironment. It should also he noted that the aforementioned definitionsmay apply during the present description.

As shown, a content provider 402 is associated with a plurality ofcircles of followers 402-408. In the context of the present embodiment,the content provider may include any participant (e.g. person or groupof persons acting as a single entity) providing content via a socialnetwork. Just by way of example, the content provider may be asubscriber of the social network, and thus may have an accountassociated with the social network. Thus, the content provider mayoptionally provide content via the social network account.

Additionally, the circles of followers 404-408 may each include variousparticipants (e.g. subscribers, etc.) of the social network with anassociation to the content provider 402. For example, each of theparticipants may be associated with the content provider 402, and thusincluded in one of the circles of followers 404-408 associated with thecontent provider, optionally in exchange for a payment. Of course, asanother example, each of the participants may be associated with thecontent provider 402 based on a request received from such participantto be added to one of such circles of followers 404-408, or based on aninvitation from the content provider 402.

Optionally, each of the circles of followers 404-408 may be associatedwith the same or different threshold number of followers. Thus, thenumber of followers included in each of the circles of followers 404-408may be prevented from exceeding the associated threshold.

As also shown, the circles of followers 404-408 may be hierarchical. Forexample, a first circle of followers 404 may be associated with a higherlevel in the hierarchy than a second circle of followers 406, and soforth. To this end, each of the circles of followers 404-408 mayoptionally indicate a different type of association between the contentprovider 402 and the followers included in such circle of followers404-408. Optionally, each of the circles of followers 404-408, includingcriteria for entry into such circles of followers 404-408 by followers(e.g. various payment amounts, etc.), a name of each of the circles offollowers 404-408, etc. may be configured by the content provider 402.

Just by way of example, the first circle of followers 404 may beprovided greater access rights to content (e.g. access to more content,etc.) and/or opportunities provided by the content provider 402 than thesecond circle of followers 404, the second circle of followers 404 maybe provided greater access rights to content and/or opportunitiesprovided by the content provider 402 than the third circle of followers408, etc.

In one exemplary embodiment, the content provider 402 may include amusician (or a group of musicians included in a band, etc.). Thus,followers of the first circle 404 may have access to content provided bysuch musician (e.g. concert tickets, promotions, music, announcements,etc.) that is inaccessible by followers of the second circle 406 orthird circle 408. Similarly, followers of the second circle 406 may haveaccess to content provided by the musician that is inaccessible byfollowers of the third circle 408.

In one embodiment, the most outer circle of followers 408 (e.g. thethird circle of followers 408 in the present system 400) may include adefault circle to which followers newly associated with the contentprovider 402 are added. For example, followers may be added to the mostouter circle of followers 408 in response to a request from suchfollowers to be associated with the content provider 402. As an option,the request may be received by the content provider 402 (e.g. as amessage, etc.) via a website representative of the social network. Tothis end, the most outer circle of followers 408 may be automaticallyassociated with the content provider 402.

However, the second circle of followers 406 may only be associated withthe content provider 402 after a predefined thresholds of followers havebeen added to the most outer circle 408, and the first circle offollowers 404 may only be associated with the content provider 402 aftera predefined thresholds of followers have been added to the secondcircle of followers 406, as an option.

In another embodiment, followers may be moved from the lowest circle offollowers to any of the higher circles of followers (e.g. the secondcircle of followers 406 or the first circle of followers 404 in thepresent system 400). Just by way of example, the followers in a lowercircle may be invited to be added to a higher circle of followersmanually. Optionally, the content provider 402 may invite a followerincluded in a lower circle to a particular higher circle, such thatacceptance of the invitation by the follower moves the follower to suchhigher circle. As another option, the content provider 402 may selectone of the followers via the website for issuing the invitation to suchfollower.

As another example, the followers in a lower circle may be invited to beadded to a higher circle of followers automatically (e.g. by meetingcriteria associated with such higher circle of followers, etc.). In oneembodiment, the invitation may be automatically communicated to afollower in exchange for payment received from the follower. In anotherembodiment, the invitation may be automatically communicated to afollower based on activity of each of the followers with respect tocontent provided by the content provider 402, such as a followeraccessing a predefined amount of content, providing feedback on content,providing a translation of the content from first language to a secondlanguage, etc. Information statistics, reports, etc.) associated withsuch follower activity may also be provided to the content provider 402.

Furthermore, the musician may indicate criteria for entry into thesecond circle of followers 406 and the first circle of followers 408.Just by way of example, the musician may indicate that the followers inthe third circle 408 may be moved to the second circle of followers 406after such followers have been in the third circle 408 for apredetermined amount of time. Further, the musician may indicate thatthe followers in the second circle 406, and optionally the third circle408, may be moved to the first circle of followers 404 in exchange for apredetermined payment from such followers, after reaching a certainlevel of activity interacting with the musician or other members of themusician's circle, etc. Any payment from one of the followers may bedirectly transmitted from such follower to the musician, as an option.

In another exemplary embodiment, the content provider 402 may include aplurality of developers on an open source development team. Each of thedevelopers may optionally have equal access rights to manage an accountutilized for social networking. As an option, one of the developers maycreate the account and invite the other developers to be a part of theopen source development team.

Accordingly, each of the circles of followers 404-408 associated withthe open source development team may be associated with different accessrights to source code (e.g. for an application being developed, etc.)provided by such open source development team. For example, the opensource development team may configure the third circle of followers 408to include early adopters of the source code, the second circle 406 toinclude followers allowed to develop drivers for the source code, andthe first circle 404 to include followers allowed to develop any portionof the source code. As another example, the third circle 408 may bemarked as paid (e.g. followers of such third circle 408 may be requiredto pay for entry into the third circle 408), and funds raised from thethird circle 408 may be used to fund further source code development.

As an option, each of the circles of followers 404-408 may beconcentric. Further, the circles of followers 404-408 may be utilized tographically represent a social hierarchy. For example, the socialhierarchy may include a hierarchy of followers or friends of differentlevel of closeness to the content provider 402.

As another option, content accessible to the followers of the contentprovider 402 may be displayed in one of a plurality of availablelanguages. For example, in response to posting content by the contentprovider 402 for presentation to the followers, the content provider 402may choose or may be prompted to translate the content into a languagedifferent from the default language used by the content provider 402 increating the content (e.g. as illustrated in the graphical userinterface (GUI) 410 of FIG. 4B). As an option, the content provider 402may only receive the prompt (e.g. items 412 and 414 of FIG. 4B) if aninterface language of the content provider 402 is changed. Further, theprompt may include requesting the content provider 402 to translate thecontent into a language associated with the interface language of thecontent provider 402. In this way, the content provider 402 may providethe content in a plurality of different languages. FIG. 4C illustratesone example of a GUI 420 for entering a translation for a text.

Further, upon receipt of a request by one of the followers to view (orotherwise receive in any manner) the content (e.g. for the content to bedisplayed over a network), an interface language of such follower (e.g.a preferred interface language set by the participant) may beidentified. It may be determined whether the content requested by thefollower is available (e.g. has been provided by the content provider402) in a language associated with the language of the user interface(the interface language) of the follower. If it is determined that thecontent is available in such language, the content may be displayed tothe follower in this language.

If, however, it is determined that the content is not available in thelanguage of the user interface, it may be determined whether the contentis available in any language associated with the follower, which mayinclude a language input by the follower, another language associatedwith the user interface of the follower, etc. If it is determined thatthe content is available in such language, the content may be displayedto the follower in this language. On the other hand, if it is determinedthat the content is not available in such language, the content may bedisplayed to the follower in the default language used by the contentprovider 402 in creating the content. Of course, however, it may bedetermined whether the content is available in any different languageassociated with the follower.

FIG. 5 shows a method 500 for inviting a content provider to define acircle of followers, in accordance with yet another embodiment. As anoption, the method 500 may be carried out in the context of thearchitecture and environment of FIGS. 1-4. Of course, however, themethod 500 may be carried out in any desired environment. Again, itshould be noted that the aforementioned definitions may apply during thepresent description.

As shown in operation 502, a follower is added. In the context of thepresent embodiment, the follower may include any participant of a socialnetwork to which an association with a content provider is added. Thus,adding the follower may optionally include associating the follower withthe content provider.

In one embodiment, the follower may be added to a circle of followersassociated with the content provider. Such circle of followers may beassociated with a lowest level (e.g. among a plurality of circles offollowers associated with the content provider), as an option. Asanother option, the circle of followers may include a default circle offollowers associated with the content provider upon creation of a socialnetworking account by the content provider.

In another embodiment, the follower may be added to the circle offollowers in response to a request from the follower to be added to thecircle of followers. In yet another embodiment, the follower may beadded to the circle of followers in exchange for payment received fromthe follower. Of course, however, the follower may be added to thecircle of followers after meeting any criteria associated with suchcircle that is predefined (e.g. by the content provider, by default,etc.).

Additionally, it is determined whether a threshold is reached, as shownin decision 504. With respect to the present embodiment, the thresholdmay include a threshold number of followers associated with the contentprovider. For example, the threshold may be applied to a number offollowers included in a circle of followers to which the follower wasadded (in operation 502).

Further, the threshold may be predefined (e.g. by the social networkprovider). In one embodiment, the threshold may be based on theparticular circle of followers to which it is applied. In this way,different circles of followers associated with the content provider maybe associated with different thresholds.

If it is determined that the threshold has not been reached, no changeoccurs. When a next follower is added (operation 502), the thresholdevaluation (decision 504) is repeated. If it is determined that thethreshold has been reached, the content provider is invited to define anew circle of followers. Note operation 506. In one embodiment, the newcircle of followers may include a second circle of followers associatedwith a higher level than the circle of followers to which the followerwas added (in operation 502). Of course, in another embodiment, the newcircle of followers may include a second circle of followers associatedwith a lower level than the circle of followers to which the followerwas added (in operation 502).

The invitation may be sent to the content provider in the form of amessage, as an option. As another option, the invitation may be sent tothe content provider in the form of a prompt. Moreover, the invitationmay be sent to the content provider via the social networking account(e.g. webpage, etc.) of the content provider. Thus, the content providermay optionally define the new circle of followers utilizing a graphicaluser interface (GUI) providing via the social networking account.

Still yet, defining the new circle of followers may include providing aname for the new circle of followers, in one embodiment. In anotherembodiment, defining the new circle of followers may include providingcriteria (e.g. payment amount, etc.) for entry by a follower into suchnew circle of followers. In yet another embodiment, defining the newcircle of followers may include indicating access rights and/oropportunities provided to followers included in such new circle offollowers.

In still yet another embodiment, the new circle of followers may bedefined by inviting followers to the new circle of followers. Forexample, the invited followers may include followers of the circle towhich the follower was added in operation 502, followers not included inany circle associated with the content provider, etc. Of course,however, the new circle of followers may be defined in any desiredmanner.

It should also be noted that, as another option, in response to thedetermination that the threshold has been reached, any type ofadditional network use options may be presented to the content provider.For example, the additional network use options may include inviting thecontent provider to define a new circle of followers (as described abovewith respect to operation 506). As another example, the additionalnetwork use options may include allowing the content provider todesignate a circle of followers as being associated with a fee (e.g. asshown in FIG. 15), such that followers may only he included in suchcircle upon payment of the fee.

FIG. 6 shows a method 600 for elevating a follower from a lowest circleof followers to a highest circle of followers, in accordance with stillyet another embodiment. As an option, the method 600 may be carried outin the context of the architecture and environment of FIGS. 1-5. Ofcourse, however, the method 600 may be carried out in any desiredenvironment. Yet again, it should be noted that the aforementioneddefinitions may apply during the present description.

As shown in operation 602, participant A is registered with a system.Such system may include a social networking system that provides asocial network, with respect to the present embodiment. Also in thecontext of the present embodiment, participant A may include anyparticipant of the social networking system. Thus, registeringparticipant A may include creating a social networking account forparticipant A.

In one embodiment, participant A may be registered in response to arequest by the participant for a social networking account. In anotherembodiment, participant A may be registered utilizing information inputby participant A. For example, the information may be input to a formprovided on a web page of the social network. Such information mayinclude a username of participant A, a password of participant A, an ageof participant A, a geographical location of participant A and/or anyother information associated with participant A.

Additionally, participant A registers as a follower of participant B, asshown in operation 604. Participant B may include another participantregistered with the social networking system, in one embodiment, Inanother embodiment, participant B may include a content provider (e.g.may provide content via the social networking system). With respect tothe present embodiment, participant A may automatically join a lowestcircle of followers associated with participant B in response to theregistration of participant A. Of course, while not shown, it should benoted that participant A may join the lowest circle of followersassociated with participant B in response to any initiative ofparticipant A.

The lowest circle of followers may include a default circle to whichfollowers of participant B may be initially added. In one embodiment,participant A may join the lowest circle of followers in response toissuing a request to he added to such lowest circle. In anotherembodiment, participant A may join the lowest circle in response to aninvitation received from participant B to join such lowest circle.

In another embodiment, participant A may select an option to join thelowest circle of followers associated with participant B. Such optionmay be provided to participant A via a GUI of a web page associated witha website of the social network. As an option, the web page may beassociated with the social networking account of participant B.Accordingly, participant A may optionally become a follower ofparticipant B upon registering as a follower of participant B.

Further, as shown in decision 606, it is determined whether participantA indicates a desire to join a higher circle of followers of participantB. Note decision 606. For example, participant A may select an option tojoin the higher circle of followers of participant B. The higher circleof followers may include any circle of followers with greater access,opportunities, etc. then that already possessed by participant A. Tothis end, participant A may be allowed to indicate a desire to join ahigher circle of followers associated with participant B.

Once it is determined that participant A has indicated a desire to joina higher circle of followers of participant B, participant B is notifiedof such indication. Note operation 608. In one embodiment, participant Bmay be notified by sending a message to participant B. For example, themessage may be sent to participant B utilizing a web page associatedwith the social networking account of participant B.

Furthermore, as shown in decision 610, it is determined whetherparticipant B has invited participant A to a higher circle of followersof participant B. In the context of the present embodiment, theinvitation may include any invitation to join a circle of followersassociated with participant B that is higher than the lowest circle offollowers that participant A joined upon registering with participant B.For example, the invitation may be to join a circle of followers nexthighest with respect to the lowest circle of followers, a highest circleof followers, etc.

Optionally, the invitation may include criteria required to be met byparticipant A prior to participant A being eligible to join the circleof followers to which participant A is invited. In one embodiment, thecriteria may include an activity required to be performed by participantA (e.g. providing feedback on content provided by participant B to thefollower, etc.). In another embodiment, the criteria may include apayment required to be paid by participant A.

As an option, the invitation may he sent from participant B via a GUI ofa web page associated with the website of the social network. As anoption, the web page may be associated with an account of participant B(e.g. customized to the account of participant B, etc.), or participantA. Further, participant B may send the invitation to participant A byidentifying (e.g. selecting, inputting, etc.) an identifier (e.g. name,electronic mail address, etc.) of participant A from a list of followersand further selecting an option to send an invite to participant A.

Of course, it should be noted that as another option, participant B mayinvite participant A to a higher circle of followers without participantA indicating any such desire and/or without participant B being notifiedof such desire. For example, participant B may simply desire to inviteparticipant A to a higher circle of followers.

If it is determined that an invitation has not been sent fromparticipant B to participant A, the method 600 continues to wait for aninvitation to be sent from participant B to participant A. If, however,it is determined that an invitation has been sent from participant B toparticipant A, participant A receives the invitation to join the highercircle of followers from participant B. Note operation 612. As anoption, participant A may receive the invitation via the web pageassociated with the account of participant A. For example, theinvitation may be received via a message.

It is further determined whether the invitation has been accepted byparticipant A, as shown in decision 614. In one embodiment, participantA may accept the invitation by selecting an accept option provided inthe invitation. Of course, participant A may also decline the invitationby selecting a decline option provided in the invitation, as anotheroption. Still yet, participant A may accept the invite by meeting anycriteria required by participant B.

If it is determined that the invitation has not been accepted byparticipant A, the method 600 waits for participant A to take action.If, however, it is determined that the invite has been accepted byparticipant A, participant A is elevated to a higher circle of followersassociated with participant B to which participant A was invited. Noteoperation 616. For example, participant A may be added to the highercircle of followers.

FIG. 7 shows a graphical user interface (GUI) 700 for presenting a webpage header, in accordance with another embodiment. As an option, theGUI 700 may be implemented in the context of the architecture andenvironment of FIGS. 1-6. Of course, however, the GUI 700 mayimplemented in any desired environment. Again, it should be noted that,the aforementioned definitions may apply during the present description.

As shown, the GUI 700 includes a header (e.g. of a web page, etc.). Asan option, the header may not necessarily change when a participantnavigates between web pages of a social network (e.g. web pagesassociated with a social network account of the user, etc.). The headerincludes a link to an “Explore” page 701 (e.g. web page) which allowsthe participant to become familiar with newly registered social networkparticipants, communities of social network participants, contentprovided via the social network, etc. The link to the “Explore” page 701may also allow the participant to search for content and other users ofinterest.

The header also includes a media player 702. In one embodiment, themedia player may be utilized for streaming media content from the socialnetwork. Additionally, the header also indicates a name of theparticipant (e.g. which is signed in), and allows the participant tosign out via a sign out option 703. Further, the header includes alanguage option 704 which allows the participant to change a language ofweb pages of the social network presented to the participant.

Moreover, the header includes a project option 705 which may allow theparticipant to start new collaborative projects. For example, theprojects may each include a web page capable of providing content andhaving as associated set of circles of followers. The header may includean invite option 706 which may allow the participant to invite newparticipants to the social network.

Still yet, the header includes a change option 707 for allowing theparticipant to change between acting on behalf of himself and on behalfof projects associated with the participant. The header also includesshortcuts 708 to web pages for posting (e.g. uploading, etc.) newcontent, a main page link 709 which allows the participant to view andmodify a main web page that presents an account of the participant (e.g.a project of the participant, content of the participant, etc.) to otherparticipants and/or viewers of the main page, and a dashboard link 710which allows the participant to access a private dashboard containingstatistics about the account of the participant and/or a summary of newcontent viewed by the other participants.

FIG. 8 shows a GUI 800 for presenting a participant-related header to aweb page of a social network, in accordance with yet another embodiment.As an option, the GUI 800 may be implemented in the context of thearchitecture and environment of FIGS. 1-7. Of course, however, the GUI800 may be implemented in any desired environment. Again, it should benoted that the aforementioned definitions may apply during the presentdescription.

As shown, the GUI 800 includes a participant-related header to a webpage of a social network. For example, the header may be configured forthe participant. For example, when a participant views a web pageassociated with an account of the participant, a header specific to theparticipant may be displayed on such web page.

The header may include information about the participant, options fornavigating within web pages associated with an account of theparticipant, data about a status of the participant in the socialnetwork, etc. As shown, the header displays a name of the participant inaddition to other participant data 801, an avatar of the participant802, controls to invite other participants to a circle of followersassociated with the participant 803, an option to join a circle offollowers associated with another participant 804, etc. The header alsodisplays a total number of participants who are followers of theparticipant 805, in addition to a total number of followers of theparticipant per circle of followers associated with the participant 806.Still yet, the header includes a navigation bar for allowing theparticipant to access a main web page associated with the participant807, a detailed profile of the participant 808, a gallery of contentprovided by the participant 809, a web log (blog) of the participant810, a list of favorite entries of the participant 811, and detailedinformation about followers and circles of followers of the participant812.

FIG. 9 shows a GUI 900 for presenting a main web page associated with aparticipant, in accordance with still yet another embodiment. As anoption, the GUI 900 may be implemented in the context of thearchitecture and environment of FIGS. 1-8. For example, the GUI 900 maybe displayed in response to selection of the option to navigate to themain web page associated with the participant 807 of FIG. 8. Of course,however, the GUI 900 may be implemented in any desired environment.Again, it should be noted that the aforementioned definitions may applyduring the present description.

As shown, the GUI 900 may present a main web page associated with aparticipant. For example, the main web page may be associated with asocial network account of the participant. As an option, the main webpage may be accessible via the navigation option 807 presented on theparticipant-related header of FIG. 8.

The main web page displays information associated with the participantin addition to a picture associated with the participant 901, highlightsfrom a gallery of content provided by the participant 902, greetings(e.g. comments, etc.) from visitors of the main web page 903, and anoption to post a new greeting and/or announcements by participant 904.Additionally, the main web page may display highlights associated withfavorite content of the participant (e.g. selected as a favorite by theuser, etc.) 906, participants and projects 905, tags associated with theparticipant (e.g. describing the participant, etc.) 907, and an activityhistory of the participant 908.

FIG. 10 shows a GUI 1000 for allowing a participant to navigate to a webpage for adding content to a social network, in accordance with anotherembodiment. As an option, the GUI 1000 may be implemented in the contextof the architecture and environment of FIGS. 1-9. Of course, however,the GUI 1000 may be implemented in any desired environment. Again, itshould be noted that the aforementioned definitions may apply during thepresent description.

The GUI 1000 may present a drop down menu of different types of contentcapable of being added to a project of the participant. By selecting the“post” option 1001 from the drop down menu, the participant may navigateto a plurality of different web pages capable of being utilized forposting (e.g. uploading) different types of content. For example, eachweb page may be utilized for posting a particular type of content.

FIG. 11 shows a GUI 1100 for allowing a participant to add content to asocial network, in accordance with another embodiment. As an option, theGUI 1100 may be implemented in the context of the architecture andenvironment of FIGS. 1-10. Of course, however, the GUI 1100 may beimplemented in any desired environment. Again, it should be noted thatthe aforementioned definitions may apply during the present description.

A participant may utilize the GUI 1100 for uploading content (e.g. filesincluding content, etc.). The content may include music, pictures, othermedia, texts, etc. The GUI 1100 may also allow the participant toattribute the content. For example, with respect to the uploading of animage (as shown), a participant may add a title 1101, description 1102,and tags 1103 for the image. The participant may also setup securityattributes 1104, such as which followers of the participant can accessthe image. Just by way of example, the participant may setup thesecurity attributes such that all participants may access the image,only participants watched by the participant may access the image, onlyfollowers included in particular circles of the participant may accessthe image, etc.

FIG. 12 shows a GUI 1200 for presenting circles of followers, inaccordance with yet another embodiment. As an option, the 1200 may beimplemented in the context of the architecture and environment of FIGS.1-11. For example, the GUI 1200 may be presented in response toselection of the followers tab 812 of FIG. 8. Of course, however, theGUI 1200 may be implemented in any desired environment. Again, it shouldbe noted that the aforementioned definitions may apply during thepresent description.

The GUI 1200 may allow a participant to manage circles of followers ofthe participant and/or to view details of circles of followers ofanother participant. As an option, the participant may view the GUI 1200by selecting the “followers” tab 812 of FIG. 8. The GUI 1200 may allow aparticipant to select a particular circle of followers 1201, viewparticipants who are members of the selected circle 1202, inviteadditional participants to the selected circle 1203, determine whetherthe selected circle is a paid circle 1204, change settings for theselected circle 1205, invite followers of the selected circle to closer(e.g. higher) circles of the participant 1206, and remove followers fromthe selected circle 1207. Additionally, the GUI 1200 may allow theparticipant to view outstanding invitations (e.g. invitations not yetaccepted) to the selected circle 1208.

FIG. 13 shows a GUI 1300 for allowing a participant to create a newproject for providing content via a social network, in accordance withanother embodiment. As an option, the GUI 1300 may be implemented in thecontext of the architecture and environment of FIGS. 1-12. Of course,however, the GUI 1300 may be implemented in any desired environment.Again, it should be noted that the aforementioned definitions may applyduring the present description.

The GUI 1300 may allow the participant to create a new project. Forexample, the project may include a web page providing content that iscapable of being viewed by other participants (e.g. followers of theparticipant). The GUI 1300 may allow the participant to input a projectname, a project type (e.g. a type of content provided via the web page),etc. The GUI 1100 may also optionally allow the participant to inviteother participants of the social network to participate in the projectas a content provider group.

FIG. 14 shows a GUI 1400 for presenting a dashboard showing differentaspects of a social network, in accordance with another embodiment. Asan option, the GUI 1400 may be implemented in the context of thearchitecture and environment of FIGS. 1-13. For example, the GUI 1400may be presented in response to selection of dashboard link 710 of FIG.7. Of course, however, the GUI 1400 may be implemented in any desiredenvironment. Again, it should be noted that the aforementioneddefinitions may apply during the present description.

The GUI 1400 presents a dashboard showing different aspects of a socialnetwork, which may be relevant to a particular participant. The GUI 1400displays recent comments 1402 (e.g. regarding content of a participant,a comment of the participant, a comment of another participant, etc.).The GUI 1400 also displays recent entries that are posted by otherparticipants that are of interest to the participant associated with thedashboard 1403.

Additionally, the GUI 1400 displays recent invitations received by theparticipant to circles of followers of other participants 1404, andchanges in followers associated with the participant 1405. The user maydrill down via the GUI 1400 and view all followed content entries inchronological order 1406, all comments 1407 (e.g. a subset of which maybe displayed chronologically in area 1402), all changes in followers1408, and all invitations 1409. Participant can view a summary page fromany of the drill-down options by clicking on tab 1401.

FIG. 15 shows a GUI 1500 for modifying settings for paid circles of aparticipant, in accordance with another embodiment. As an option, theGUI 1500 may be implemented in the context of the architecture andenvironment of FIGS. 1-14. For example, the GUI 1500 may be presented inresponse to selection of the option to change settings for a selectedcircle 1205 of FIG. 12. Of course, however, the GUI 1500 may beimplemented in any desired environment. Again, it should be noted thatthe aforementioned definitions may apply during the present description.

The GUI 1500 may allow a participant to change a fee (e.g. a membershipprice) for a circle of followers of the participant 1501. For example,the participant may set fees for different circles of followers of theparticipant. Thus, followers may only be included in one of such circlesupon payment of the associated fee. The GUI 1500 may also optionallyallow the participant to select which of the circles of followersrequires payment by followers for such followers to be included 1502.

FIG. 16 shows a GUI 1600 for modifying settings for accessibility ofcircles of a participant, in accordance with another embodiment. As anoption, the GUI 1600 may be implemented in the context of thearchitecture and environment of FIGS. 1-15. Of course, however, the GUI1600 may be implemented in any desired environment. Again, it should benoted that the aforementioned definitions may apply during the presentdescription.

As shown, each of a plurality of circles of followers (e.g. familycircle, friends circle, etc.) associated with a participant aredisplayed via the GUI 1600. In addition, a name for each of the circlesof followers (e.g. as configured by the participant) is also displayedvia the GUI 1600. In one embodiment, the GUI 1600 may be utilized by theparticipant for modifying a name of each of the circles.

Further, a type of access associated with each of the circle isdisplayed via the GUI 1600. The type of access may indicate an actionrequired to be performed by a participant in order for the participantto become a follower included in the associated circle. For example, thetypes of access may include invitation only (e.g. invitation initiatedby the participant associated with, providing, owning, etc. thecircles), invitation by request (e.g. invitation requested by theparticipant desiring to be included as a follower in the associatedcircle), no requirement (no requirement to become a follower), etc. Inanother embodiment, the GUI 1600 may be utilized by the participantassociated with the circles for modifying the type of access associatedwith each of the circles. Moreover, the GUI 1600 may optionally beutilized for enabling/disabling each of the circles, where participantsmay not necessarily be included as followers of a disabled circle,.

While various embodiments have been described above, it should beunderstood that they have been presented by way of example only, and notlimitation. Thus, the breadth and scope of a preferred embodiment shouldnot be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, butshould be defined only in accordance with the following claims and theirequivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A social networking system, comprising: memoryfor storing information associated with followers of one of a pluralityof participants of a social network, the participants including at leastone of a person, a group of persons, and a project; and a processor for:displaying to the participant a web page graphically representing aplurality of circles, each circle including a different set offollowers, wherein each of the circles is associated with a differentset of content provided to the followers, such that for each circle,followers included in the circle are provided a different set of contentthan followers included in the other circles.
 2. The social networkingsystem of claim 1, wherein the processor is coupled to the memory via abus.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the followers isincluded in at least one of the circles based on an invitation from theparticipant.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one option ispresented to the participant for configuration at least one settingassociate with one of the circles, and the at least one option forconfiguring the at least one setting includes an option for configuringa name of the circle.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one ofthe circles is defined by the participant utilizing an account of theparticipant with the social network.
 6. The system of claim 5, whereinthe at least one of the circles is defined by the participant providinga name for the at least one of the circles.
 7. The system of claim 5,wherein the at least one of the circles is defined by the participantindicating content accessible to the followers included in the at leastone of the circles.
 8. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one webpage associated with an account of the participant with the socialnetwork includes an invite option for use by the participant to invitenew participants to the social network.
 9. The system of claim 1,wherein at least one web page associated with an account of theparticipant with the social network displays a total number ofparticipants who are followers of the participant.
 10. The system ofclaim 1, further in response to selection of one of the circles by theparticipant via the web page, displaying a number indicator of a totalnumber of followers included in the selected circle.
 11. The system ofclaim 1, further in response to selection of one of the circles by theparticipant via the first web page, providing an option selectable bythe participant to remove at least one of the followers included in theselected circle.
 12. A method, comprising: storing in memory informationassociated with followers of one of a plurality of participants of asocial network, the participants including at least one of a person, agroup of persons, and a project; displaying to the participant a webpage graphically representing a plurality of circles, each circleincluding a different set of followers, wherein each of the circles isassociated with a different set of content provided to the followers,such that for each circle, followers included in the circle are provideda different set of content than followers included in the other circles.13. A computer program product embodied on a non-transitory computerreadable medium, comprising: computer code for storing informationassociated with followers of one of a plurality of participants of asocial network, the participants including at least one of a person, agroup of persons, and a project; computer code for displaying to theparticipant a web page graphically representing a plurality of circles,each circle including a different set of followers, wherein each of thecircles is associated with a different set of content provided to thefollowers, such that for each circle, followers included in the circleare provided a different set of content than followers included in theother circles.
 14. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein atleast one of the followers is included in at least one of the circlesbased on an invitation from the participant.
 15. The computer programproduct of claim 1, wherein at least one option is presented to theparticipant for configuration at least one setting associate with one ofthe circles, and the at least one option for configuring the at leastone setting includes an option for configuring a name of the circle. 16.The computer program product of claim 1, wherein at least one of thecircles is defined by the participant utilizing an account of theparticipant with the social network.
 17. The computer program product ofclaim 16, wherein the at least one of the circles is defined by theparticipant providing a name for the at least one of the circles. 18.The computer program product of claim 16, wherein the at least one ofthe circles is defined by the participant indicating content accessibleto the followers included in the at least one of the circles.
 19. Thecomputer program product of claim 1, wherein at least one web pageassociated with an account of the participant with the social networkincludes an invite option for use by the participant to invite newparticipants to the social network.
 20. The computer program product ofclaim 1, wherein at least one web page associated with an account of theparticipant displays a total number of participants who are followers ofthe participant.